THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIONPREAIIER’S INTIMATION. LONDON, Dec. 28. Air Lloyd George telegraphed from Cannes: ‘‘lt is fruitless and impossible to reopen a discussion on the Irish treaty; even an alteration would render it null and void.’ Air Churchill presides over a ministerial committee which is going to Ireland to settle the amnesty, and transfer the executive to the Irish government.

VIEW OF IRISH POSITION. NEW YORK, Dec. 28th. Sir Horace Blanket has arrived. Hfe declared his belief that the Daii Eireann would subunit the Irish Treaty to a popular vote, which would overwhelmingly ratify it. He thinks Lister will join the south when the question is no longer the issue of British party polities.

LLOYD GEORGE’S CLAIMS. CANNES, Dec. 28.

Interviewed here, Mr Lloyd George said that his ready statement had been telegraphed to Downing Street, liiid was issued officially. This wits in order to clear up certain doubts. The Premier also said: “No British statesman could go further than we have done. No statesman could consider any proposal involving Ireland being out of the Empire. The Government lias gone to the utmost limit in the treaty. To reopen discussion, which only closed after a most exhaustive discussion of every point, would be fruitless, and it is impossible.”

CHURCIIILL’S MISSION. LONDON, -Dee. 28. A committee eonsistihg of British Ministers, under the presidency of Air \Y. Churchill, is being sent to Ireland to arrange an amnesty, and deal with the evacuation of the British forces, and also to make the necessary arrangements for tlie transfer of full executive responsibility to an Irish Provisional Government. Tlie Committee had arranged to sit through tlie Christmas holidays, but it is held up [lending _ Ireland’s approval of the treaty.

R VITFICATION PROSPECTS. LONDON, Dec. 28

It is reported from Dublin that the chief figures in the conflicting Dnil Kireann parties who favour respectively H e ratification and the rejeefion of the Irish terms have held a secret meeting, and thereat reached a compromise, whereunder ratification will be carried.

DUBLIN FEELING. LONDON, Dec. 23

It is reported that optimism is m-crea-dim in Dublin, and that political circles now feel assured that ratification of the treaty terms is almost a cer-

tainty. .. ... .. The adjournment of Dail Eireann, r is stated, has served a useful purpose bv bringing the members of the Bail Eireann into closer contact with their constituents. An overwhelming majority of the constituents, it is reported, favour ratification, realising the treaty would give . a measure of freedom, and one unexampled in the country’s history. It is pointed out the only alternative will he endless and fruitless warfare. FAVOUR THE COMPROMISE. LONDON, Dec. 28. In Ireland the latest resolutions demanding ratification come from the South Cork Sinn Fein executive, Longford County Council, the Kilkenny County Council, and the Navnn Urban Council. , . , A member of the last-namec »o > ,minted out that the people had listened to the Dail Eireann speeches and the Dail Eireann ought now to listen to the people. These latest resolutions suggest that the Dail members who objecTto the oath ought to abstain from voting, or should at least consult their constituents.